SEER2 and the efficiency minimums
The number on the label has a floor here.
California is in the federal government's hot-dry Southwest region, where a central air conditioner has to meet a minimum on the day it's installed. Here are the numbers, and the higher ones the rebates ask for.
The minimums
What a new system has to rate
-
14.3
SEER2, split air conditioner
For one under 45,000 Btu/hr installed in the Southwest.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps FAQ, last checked 2026-10-22.
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7.5
HSPF2, split heat pump
The heating minimum for a split heat pump, nationwide.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps FAQ, last checked 2026-10-22.
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11.7 EER2
with SEER2 less than 15.2
The hot-weather floor for a Southwest air conditioner; at a SEER2 greater than or equal to 15.2, it's 9.8 EER2.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps FAQ, last checked 2026-10-22.
-
16 or greater
SEER2 for a South Bay rebate
Silicon Valley Clean Energy wants a SEER2 of 16 or greater, or an inverter heat pump.
Source: Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Appliance Specifications (April 2026), last checked 2026-10-22.
Why the install date matters here
For these federal standards California sits in the hot-dry Southwest region, alongside Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.
There the split air conditioner standard goes by date of installation, so units installed on or after January 1, 2023, must meet it, whenever they were made. It is illegal for a contractor to install one that doesn't.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps FAQ. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
The minimums, in one table
Federal minimums first, then the South Bay rebates.
| Equipment | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Split air conditioner under 45,000 Btu/hr, Southwest | SEER2 14.3 |
| The same air conditioner, in hot weather | 11.7 EER2 when SEER2 is less than 15.2, otherwise 9.8 EER2 |
| Split heat pump, nationwide | SEER2 14.3, HSPF2 7.5 |
| Heat pump for a Silicon Valley Clean Energy rebate | SEER2 of 16 or greater, or an inverter |
| Heat pump for a San Jose Clean Energy rebate | SEER of 17 or greater, or a SEER2 of 16 or greater |
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps FAQ. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
Source: Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Appliance Specifications (April 2026). Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
Source: San Jose Clean Energy, EcoHome Rebate. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
SEER2 isn't SEER
SEER2, HSPF2 and EER2 look like the old SEER, HSPF and EER numbers, but DOE says they aren't directly comparable. Compare quotes in the same rating, never one old and one new.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps FAQ. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
Tell us what it's doing. We'll take it from there.
Call and describe the problem: the noise, the smell, the room that never warms up. Or book a visit online.
